Sometimes one chooses dental insurance to help pay for a specific benefit such as orthodontic care. One specific area that has become a popular choice in orthodontic care is invisalign. Invisalign has become a popular choice instead of traditional braces because many feel the invisalign product is more comfortable, and that invisalign causes less problems and pain than braces, not to mention they are almost invisible which of course is where they get their name from.
Invisalign results are comparable to braces and fortunately for many that are wanting to choose Invisalign for their orthodontic care, many dental insurance companies do provide coverage for Invisalign treatments. Unfortunately though, once most people start researching how much Invisalign costs and how much of that amount dental insurance covers, many are disappointed at how much they will have to pay out of their own pocket.
Invisalign is covered under traditional dental insurance as orthodontic care. Orthodontic care is a benefit on most dental insurance plans and the dental insurance plan will usually pay a certain small percentage for orthodontic care.
Since orthodontic care only pays a small percentage of the overall costs of orthodontic procedures such as Invisalign, there are a few steps one should take in searching for the right dental insurance for Invisalign procedures along with other areas one should consider to help cover the total cost of Invisalign treatments.
Steps to Take When Choosing an Invisalign Dental Insurance Plan and Other Payment Options for Invisalign Treatments:
Step 1: Research which dental insurance companies offer payments for Invisalign treatments. Although most dental insurance companies offer orthodontic care, which is what would cover Invisalign treatments, not all dental insurance companies do. It is important to research which companies offer an orthodontic care benefit along with what percentage of the procedure their orthodontic benefit covers. This will then give one an idea of how much money they will need to cover by other means.
Step 2: Consider Other Payment Options for the Invisalign Treatments: According to the Invisalign website, on average most insurance companies only cover about $500 towards the Invisalign treatment. Since the average Invisalign treatment is about $5,000, that leaves $4,500 as an out-of-pocket expense for the patient. There are other options to help one pay for Invisalign treatments.
First, one should check into any health savings accounts that may be available to them or consider setting one up. These accounts can help one put back money tax free to use towards qualifying medical procedures including orthodontic care such as Invisalign. Next, one can check into companies that lend money interest free for medical procedures such as Care Credit. And finally, ask the Orthodontist that is providing the Invisalign treatments if they would consider payment options.
Step 3: Contact Local Orthodontists to Compare Prices and Insurance Acceptance: Once one has the dental insurance they feel would be best to help cover their Invisalign procedure and has reviewed other payment options available to them, it is now time to shop around for the best price.
Many orthodontists are now offering Invisalign treatments so by comparing each orthodontist's costs, one may be able to reduce their overall out-of-pocket expense just be making a few phone calls. The orthodontists may not want to give any prices upfront, but if the potential patient explains to them that they are comparing all the orthodontists available to them and is willing to choose the one that has the most reasonable costs and is willing to work on payments with them, the orthodontist may be more likely to give a discounted deal to acquire a new customer.
